Chapter Six
Only Psychopaths Eat the Head Last
“A shame the sun isn’t out today,” Sawyer said as we sat in his study around midday. He’d invited me to the castle for lunch. “We could’ve taken a stroll in the gardens.”
“This is just as nice.” I rested a hand on my full belly, feeling like a balloon about to pop.
A fire burned in the large hearth, and the wall of windows reflected the dreary day. Despite the gray sky, the room was cozy. Sawyer’s personal touch was all over it. The shelves of books, the crinkle in their spines proof that they were well loved. The armchairs with plushy pillows and a desk with a vase of purple flowers.
“The days are growing shorter,” he said softly. “And the nights are much too long.”
“Kuya will steal the sun for his prince.” Kuya dashed over to the window and rested his palms against the glass, his reddish-brown tail swishing behind him. “Then, Prince Sawyer will always be warm and happy.”
“I already am with you by my side.” Sawyer smiled at him, then looked at me. “Gratitude for the food. It was delicious as always.”
“Glad you liked it.”
Rose, the head cook in the castle kitchen, had given me free rein of the place. I’d cooked tomato-and-basil soup for lunch—enough for the castle staff to eat too—and had brought sourdough bread from my cafe with a garlic butter smear togo with it. Also in my basket of goodies, sugar cookies and strawberry cupcakes.
After we’d eaten, I brewed coffee and passed out the cookies. The cupcakes were already devoured by a certain adorable cat boy, the remnants at the edge of his lips.
“These are wonderful as well.” Sawyer examined the sugar cookie. I had iced each one and decorated them with holly leaves. Some had snowflakes. “The design is exquisite.”
“I did it for winter.” My cheeks heated with the compliment. I was so awkward when it came to them.
Back in my old world, it must’ve been early December, if I had to guess. Christmas music, festive decorations, and seasonal treats would’ve taken over by now. I didn’t really miss the holidays, having spent them alone for as long as I could remember, but I missed the atmosphere of the holiday season. The sense of magic and wonder. And the food.
Fortunately, the food was something I didn’t have to go without. I’d tried out seasonal recipes for my men before integrating them into the café menu. My pecan pie had been a massive hit with customers.
“Does Bremloc get snow?” I bit into a cookie.
Sawyer didn’t know I was from another world, but he was a smart guy. I was sure he’d put some pieces together by now. After all, Kuya had met Lupin and visited the Emporium too. That was how Kuya had found Sawyer all those years ago. A lantern had guided him.
“Yes,” he answered. “Areas farther north get much more, but we usually see some.”
We ate our cookies and drank coffee in a comfortable silence, listening to the crackle of the fire and Kuya’s little chitters as he stood at the window and watched bluebirds flutter from one branch to another.
“Thank you for accepting my invitation to lunch.” Sawyer took a drink to wash down the last of the cookie. “It’s been too long since I’ve seen you. Too long since I’ve been allowed outside these grounds, really.”
“They’re still keeping you locked away, huh?”
“For my own protection,” he responded in a deeper voice. I snorted when realizing he was imitating Sir Noah. “My father has ordered more guards to watch over me since the incident with the bandits. He means well. I know he does. It just feels so suffocating never having a moment to myself, even when walking around my own home. Even now, guards are posted outside the door.”
“Yeah, one of them tasted the soup before they let me make your bowl. To make sure it wasn’t poisoned, I guess.”
Sawyer sighed. He sounded and looked so tired. The kind of tired no amount of rest could help. “All the fuss over me seems so… unnecessary.”
“Well, King Silasdidtry to have you captured so you could be a bargaining chip or whatever,” I pointed out. “So, I wouldn’t say it’s unnecessary.”
“Perhaps you’re right.” Sawyer sipped his coffee. “Yet, it baffles me.”
“What does?”
“Why Haran targeted me.” He stared at the fire. “Why not my brother instead?”
“Probably because he’s a royal pain in the ass,” I said on impulse, then balked. “Um, I mean, not that there’s anything wrong with Prince Cedric. He’s, uh, very nice. Not a douche at all… crap, I—”
“Evan?” Sawyer cracked a smile. “Breathe. All is well. When it’s just you and me, you can freely speak your mind, remember?” His gaze returned to the fire. “Cedric and I certainly have our differences. He wishes to rule with an ironfist someday, whereas I believe a king should be strong but also value honor and compassion. Both methods have their advantages, I suppose.”
